Genesis 25:22-34 ▼

22 But the children struggled together within her; and she said, “If it is so, why am I in this condition?” So she went to inquire of the LORD.

23 And the LORD said to her, “Two nations are in your womb; And two peoples will be separated from your body; And one people will be stronger than the other; And the older will serve the younger.”

24 When her days leading to the delivery were at an end, behold, there were twins in her womb.

25 Now the first came out red, all over like a hairy garment; and they named him Esau.

26 Afterward his brother came out with his hand holding on to Esau’s heel, so he was named Jacob; and Isaac was sixty years old when she gave birth to them.

27 When the boys grew up, Esau became a skillful hunter, a man of the field; but Jacob was a civilized man, living in tents.

28 Now Isaac loved Esau because he had a taste for game; but Rebekah loved Jacob.

29 When Jacob had cooked a stew one day, Esau came in from the field and he was exhausted;

30 and Esau said to Jacob, “Please let me have a mouthful of that red stuff there, for I am exhausted.” Therefore he was called Edom by name.

31 But Jacob said, “First sell me your birthright.”

32 Esau said, “Look, I am about to die; so of what use then is the birthright to me?”

33 And Jacob said, “First swear to me”; so he swore an oath to him, and sold his birthright to Jacob.

34 Then Jacob gave Esau bread and lentil stew; and he ate and drank, and got up and went on his way. So Esau despised his birthright.